People have been working with wood for a very long time. Since then, the use of this raw material has only gained momentum. Currently, there are entire facilities involved in wood processing. However, skillful owners can assemble some devices on their own, if they need to process a tree in large quantities. A cylindering machine became a rather useful device.
Purpose of equipment
The main purpose of this machine is that it is used to give the correct shape to those logs that go to the construction of log cabins. Naturally, the workpiece can be carried out manually, however, the use of an automated device significantly speeds up and facilitates the whole process.
The cylinder machine has the following functions:
- prepares grooves in logs for further installation;
- conducts cylindering of the material;
- used for the manufacture of edged boards from a gun carriage;
- it is possible to prepare dies for a parquet;
- smooth wood can be milled;
- edging unedged boards;
- production of timber of the right size.
In addition, this equipment can create compensation grooves using a circular saw, and the processing speed of the raw materials is adjustable.
What the unit consists of
The cylinder machine includes several of the following components:
- The metal frame, which is most often made of rectangular tube rolling.
- The necessary guides to move the power and saw device.
- Headstock used for fastening, as well as torsion of logs. The headstock must be equipped with a dividing head that fixes the barrel. The spindle head will also be mounted there.
- The mill for cylindering machines is one of the key elements. If the cutter is of a figured type, then it can be used to make a groove for installation, if it is universal, then it can be used for cylindering, cutting crown cups, and processing planes.
- Removable cutter knives will also be an important element. They should be made of good steel. The main convenience is that they can be replaced without removing the cutter itself.
Varieties of aggregates
Today there are several types of cylindering machines.
Machines of the through type ensure the constant movement of the workpiece on the table, processing it at the same time. There are also machines of the cyclic type, the movement and processing of which goes on several cycles. In addition, this type of equipment is divided into two more - these are cyclo-passage and cyclo-positional. In the first case, the wood blank remains stationary, and the cutter moves, in the second case, on the contrary, the processing tool does not move, the wood moves.
It is also worth noting that the separation of machines is carried out according to their level of automation. There are mechanical, automatic and semi-automatic machines. If a mechanical type of machine is used, then the material is loaded and all processes are set up by the operator. In automatic machines, all this happens without human intervention, you only need to control the progress of work. Semi-automatic type machines are able to control only one stage of work, further operator intervention will be required.
A small comparison of classes
Through-type cylindrical machines are distinguished by their high productivity, however, they also exhibit a certain error during operation, and the surface may remain slightly rough.
Units related to the cyclic type process the surface much better and other operations are performed, but this significantly affects performance.
However, it is worth noting that it is the second category of devices that has received wider application. Since they are more compact, and their base is considered more stable.
DIY cylindering machine
The easiest option for assembling such a device with your own hands will be using a sawmill as a basis. Instead of the front cone of the equipment, an emphasis must be installed. The bearing for this part will be equipped with a headstock, which is located at the rear. In order to rotate the workpiece, you can use an electric motor or a handle.
The greatest difficulty is the manufacture of cutters, and therefore they try to assemble it from several separate elements. It is very important that the material used for this part must be very durable. To move the cutter, an additional rail is used, which also needs to be installed. The final device is very similar to a conventional milling machine. The workpiece fits into the grooves and rotates, and the cutter moves along. Cylindering machines work in the same way.
Assembly steps
The first step is to assemble the frame. The height of the installation of the frame is 20 cm. The inclination error is allowed in the region of 0.5 mm per 1 meter. The second step is the installation of the power mechanism, as well as the attachment of the headstock. Next, you need to fix the cable for the power cable to the installed racks. After this, you can begin to fasten the stopper to the power mechanism. An important part of the job will be grounding equipment for the device if it uses an electric motor. Only after arranging the grounding can you start connecting the motor to power. When this is ready, it is necessary to check the compliance of the phases with the operating modes. If they were connected incorrectly, then when the motor is turned on, reverse rotation will occur. If this happens, then the phases need to be reversed. When everything is ready, you should check the rotation again. It is strictly forbidden to lay a log before all test work has been successfully completed.
Particular attention must be paid to the mounts of the headstock. They are installed as rigidly and parallel to the guides as possible. The axes of both elements must match. It is also important to balance the cutter, otherwise the machine will fail quite quickly.
Reviews about cylindering machines are quite positive. With proper assembly and operation, it is noted that the unit has a decent service life and good reliability. To say exactly about the performance will not work, since home-made models are used in different ways. However, if you look at the factory machines, they are able to process up to 20 logs in one shift. In general, the unit is reliable and quite useful, but its assembly is quite difficult and requires certain skills.